1. (a) The governing institution of a professional nursing school/educational program, not including a diploma program, must be accredited by an agency recognized by the THECB or hold a certificate of authority from the THECB under provisions leading to accreditation of the institution in due course .
2. (b) There shall be an organizational chart which demonstrates the relationship of the professional pre-licensure nursing educational program to the governing institution, and indicates lines of responsibility and authority.
3. (c) In colleges and universities, the program shall have comparable status with other academic units in such areas as rank, promotion, tenure, leave, benefits and professional development.
4. (d) Salaries shall be adequate to recruit, employ, and retain sufficient qualified faculty members with graduate preparation and expertise necessary for students to meet program goals.
5. (e) The governing institution shall provide financial support and resources needed to operate a program which meets the legal and educational requirements of the Board and fosters achievement of program goals. The financial resources shall support adequate educational facilities, equipment and qualified administrative and instructional personnel.

6. (f) Each professional nursing educational program shall be administered by a qualified individual who is accountable for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the professional nursing educational program. The dean or director shall:

   1. (1) hold a current license or privilege to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Texas;
   2. (2) hold a master's degree or a doctorate degree in nursing;
   3. (3) hold a doctoral degree, if administering a baccalaureate or master's degree program;
   4. (4) have a minimum of three years teaching experience in a professional nursing educational program;
   5. (5) have demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities in administration within a professional nursing educational program; and
   6. (6) not carry a teaching load of more than three clock hours per week if required to teach.

7. (g) When the dean or director of the program changes, the dean or director shall submit to the Board office written notification of the change indicating the final date of employment.

   1. (1) A new dean or director qualification form shall be submitted to the office by the governing institution for approval prior to the appointment of a new dean or director in an existing program or a new nursing program.
   2. (2) A vitae and all official transcripts shall be submitted with the new dean or director qualification form.
   3. (3) If an interim dean or director is appointed to fill the position, this appointment shall not exceed one year.
   4. (4) In a fully approved professional nursing educational program, if the individual to be appointed as dean or director does not meet the requirements for dean or director as specified in subsection (f) of this section, the administration is permitted to petition for a waiver of the Board's requirements, according to Board guidelines, prior to the appointment of said individual.
8. (h) A newly appointed dean, director, interim dean, or interim director of a professional nursing educational program shall attend the next scheduled orientation provided by the Board.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.6 adopted to be effective January 9, 2005, 29 TexReg 12190; amended to be effective August 11, 2005, 30 TexReg 4480; amended to be effective January 10, 2008, 33 TexReg 183.